2010 Porsche 911: The 997-II generation of the Porsche 911 family expands for 2010 to include the 911 Turbo, the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 RS.
The GT3 and GT3 RS remain the Porsche 911s for purists, as you can still get them only with a six-speed manual gearbox — albeit a shorter-geared, shorter-throw unit in the maximum-attack 911 RS. Still, in a nod to the times, both use a new 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder with direct-injection technology. It makes 435 horsepower in the standard 911 GT3 and 450 hp in the RS. Dynamic engine mounts that vary the amount of damping force according to driving conditions are optional on the regular GT3 and standard on the GT3 RS.
Both cars benefit from various weight reduction measures to their brakes, suspension and lightweight 19-inch wheels, too. A specially calibrated version of PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) is standard on both, though the track-oriented 911 GT3 RS has a slightly wider track and wider rear tires.
The 911 Turbo might not be quite so hard-core, but this is still the fastest, best-handling and most technologically advanced Porsche 911 Turbo in the car's 35-year history. It, too, has a direct-injected version of the 3.8-liter, albeit with twin, variable-geometry turbochargers to boot. It's rated at 500 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the Sport Chrono Turbo package's overboost feature (without this option, output is 479 lb-ft). Said package also includes Porsche's dynamic engine mounts. Also new is the Turbo engine's use of an integrated dry-sump oil lubrication system with six oil-scavenge pumps. The 911 Turbo's all-wheel-drive system has been updated for smoother operation this year, and there's an optional rear-wheel torque vectoring feature.
Also key for the slightly lower-key 911 Turbo are the improvements to the optional seven-speed, dual-clutch PDK gearbox. For an extra $490, you can now get traditional shift paddles for the PDK affixed to a unique steering wheel. Additionally, the transmission programming maps Porsche has developed for the Turbo are so effective that the PDK does its best work in "D."
Finally, Midnight Blue Metallic is a new paint choice for the 911 family in 2010.
2010 Porsche Boxster: The only thing new in the Boxster lineup is the arrival of the Boxster Spyder, a lightened version of the Boxster S with a minimalist soft-top design. It weighs 133 pounds less than a Boxster S and makes 10 more horsepower (now 320). Equipped with the optional PDK dual-clutch transmission and the Sports Chrono package (which has launch control), the Boxster Spyder will hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, according to Porsche.
2010 Porsche Cayenne: No changes for the Cayenne, and you'll be glad to know that both the Cayenne hybrid (offered in very limited numbers in 2009) and Cayenne S Transsyberia are making encores for 2010.
2010 Porsche Cayman: No changes.
2010 Porsche Panamera: You often hear the word "sacrilege" used to describe the 2010 Porsche Panamera, which like the Cayenne before it, has an extra set of doors and a north-south V8 engine over its front axle. But as more and more people actually drive the Panamera, it's quickly becoming apparent that this may be the most dynamically accomplished four-door anything currently in existence. And it still has all the refinement and comforts expected in an executive-class sedan.
For now, you can get the Porsche Panamera in rear-drive S, all-wheel-drive 4S and Turbo versions. A Panamera hybrid is also in the works, though Porsche won't say when. The Panamera S and 4S have a direct-injected 4.8-liter V8 rated at 400 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. If you're a genius, you'll guess that the Panamera Turbo adds a pair of turbochargers on its way to 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are equipped with a stop-start feature to save fuel while idling at traffic lights. Instead of a dullsville automatic transmission, Porsche has specified its PDK seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox for all 2010 Panameras.
Standard equipment on the Panamera S includes a leather interior with power-adjustable, heated seats; a hard-drive-based navigation system; a sunroof; and 18-inch wheels. The Turbo immediately sizes you up to 19s, while adding more memory settings in the cabin and upgraded Bose sound. Options number in the millions.
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